Grand Valley Water Users Association Fish Passage at the Government Highline Dam – Colorado River near Cameo, CO
The Government Highline Dam (aka “Roller Dam”)
The Government Highline Diversion Dam, aka “Roller Dam”, near Cameo, Colorado was completed in 1916. The historic structure diverts water from the Colorado River to large tracks of farmland in western Colorado. It was one of the first reclamation projects on the Colorado River and is the oldest roller dam in the U.S.! Until the fish passage was constructed in 2004, native fish were unable to continue up river past this point for nearly 90 years, significantly impacting native fish populations on the upper Colorado River.
The concrete structure is 14 feet in height, spanning a distance of 546 feet across the Colorado River with the function of diverting Colorado River flow into the 55-mile-long Government Highline Canal, providing irrigation water to more than 23,000 acres of land as well as 19,350,600 kilowatts of power annually to the Grand Valley of Western Colorado.
The Fish Passage at the “Roller Dam”
Redlands Diversion Dam Fish Passage was constructed by water users and partners of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program on the Gunnison River, a major tributary of the Colorado River, near Orchard Mesa, Colorado. The important infrastructure began operating in 1996. This important passage typically opens from early snow runoff in Spring until late fall when river temperatures plummet.The first of it’s kind in the Upper Colorado River Basin, it’s specific purpose was to provide upstream passage for two Federally listed fishes, the Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker but has had immense benefits for numerous other native fish species providing access to 50 river miles of designated endangered fish Critical Habitat on the Colorado River and has passed over 180,000 native fish since conception in 1996.
Total Number of Native Fish To Pass Through Government Highline Roller Dam Fish Passage (2005-2024)
Number of endangered Colorado Pikeminnow To Pass Through Government Highline Roller Dam Fish Passage
Total Number of endangered bonytail To Pass Through Government Highline Roller Dam Fish Passage
Number of threatened humpback chub To Pass Through Government Highline Roller Dam Fish Passage
Total Number of endangered razorback sucker To Pass Through Government Highline Roller Dam Fish Passage
The Innovative Fish Passage Structure
An aerial view of the Government Highline Dam Fish Passage on the Colorado River near Cameo, Colorado. The fish ladder is a passage for the fish to move around and up stream of the dam. A series of metal panels in the fish ladder creates a slower water velocity for fish to rest in. Baffles in fish ladders enable fish to swim around the river obstruction one step at a time. Photo by Google Earth.
Shortly after construction of the fish passage, native fish attempting to migrate upriver of the Government Highline Roller Dam for reproduction and other biological reasons were able to do so. This infrastructure has significantly contributed to fish recovery efforts in the basin. The photo above is an endangered Colorado Pikeminnow which is just one of the many fish have that utililzed the ladder since it was built.
How the Government Highline “Roller Dam” Fish Passage Works
1) The downstream entrance to the fish ladder is below these baffles. Migrating fish swim up stream, and eventually into the “V” Trap for biologists to document.
2) Fish swim up these baffles and are held in the final “V trap” chamber before being released on their way up the Colorado River.
3) Once the fish trap is drained, the fish are gathered and sorted before being sent on their way.
4) Biologists then acquire important data on endangered fish including length, weight, PIT tag numbers, sexual maturity and more.
5) Biologists gently transport the fish from the trap by either a hand held net or a motorized crane to the sorting table where they are separated by species.
6) Fish are then released from the holding tank through a pipe leading to the Colorado River above the dam, giving them access to over 50 miles of Critical Habitat that had been inaccessible for almost 100 years.
When Colorado pikeminnow are documented in the Grand Valley Roller Dam Fish Passage, fish biologists take measurements, check for PIT tags, then quickly transport these fish upstream from the roller dam to continue on their journey. This important infrastructure benefits these rare fish by giving them access to nearly 50 miles of Critical Habitat above the roller dam. Above are photos of a few of these lucky fish to be released!
Link to Government Highline Dam Fish Passage Annual Reports
Directions to the Government Highline Dam Fish Passage
Government Highline Dam Fish Passage is only accessible from the I-70 west-bound lane–For safety, please signal far in advance on I-70 that you are turning into the facility.
Directions from Debeque, Colorado
- Go west on I-70 from Debeque, Colorado
- Proceed westbound on I-70 for 12-13 miles.
- Turn right into the gated facility before passing the dam.
Relevant Links For Students and Supporters
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